Sunday, March 31, 2013

Prize for the winner who uses a digital stamp from the StitchyBear online shop wins $9 to spend in store. Non use of a StitchBear stamp wins $3

For this challenge I have used the digital stamp Love Nature by Gingerloft, available from the StitchyBear store to make my card.

After a couple of fabulous holidays downunder doing the real outback stuff - hubby and I are not the sort of people who do cities, tarmac, crowds etc. Instead we hire a 4x4 vehicle which we can sleep in/or camp with and head out to find dirt road, scrub land, out of the way - non tourist places. The first year we went we drove around for six weeks and the second time for five weeks. Our only commitment was to be back at the place we hired the vehicle from on a certain date and then to the airport for our flight home. Total adventures <g>. I can hear you thinking how mad we are but both my hubby and I grew up in Africa so an adventure like this is not daunting, more like going home.

Initially I thought this would be an easy card to put together, I had my plan but it was not easy to colour, there was a certain ruggedness with the image, a childlike drawing which was so in keeping with the Love Nature name, and I wanted to try to keep that innocence. No, I know nature is not innocent, it can be one of the cruelest things we encounter but there is comfort in it's balance, joy in it's celebration of colour, peace in its harmony, and knowing even after a tragedy nature goes on.

The centre part of this card is the digi, I wanted to fill the whole card with the image and try not to use any embellishments lol (I failed in that, could not resist a bit of sparkle around the sun). To achieve my plan I continued the drawing of the digi in the background and added a few words that came to mind to bring it all together and, in line with the challenge, incorporate SPRING. So there we have it, how popping over to the OSAAT challenge to see what out other fabulous team have created.

Recipe:-

Digi Love Nature by Gingerloft which was cut out and attached to the backing with foam tape for dimension

Friday, March 29, 2013

I love a card with a story, do you? This card has a great story and I don't think my grandson will forgive me for telling it to the world :) My daughter and grandson were visiting hubby and I in Saudi for a few weeks and while here I treated myself to several more Mo's Digital Pencil digis, they are just so super cute and fun to colour. Taking a shine to Two Toby I set about colouring him in and as if the image had given my grandson an idea he decided to throw a tantrum, a good one too, it last about 15 minutes and amongst all the other animal noises 'Mummy I want' was often repeated. Fun over and the little person settled down (not getting what he wanted I should add) and the day moved forward without any further dramas. I decided at that point the card being made with this image would have to be my daughters Mother's Day Card. A couple of days later, when time permitted, I set about making the card and would you believe, another tantrum from his excellence. Bless his cotton socks, only two tantrums in three weeks, not bad going.

For this card, I designed the room for Two Toby to throw his tantrum in and cut hand made paper I picked up somewhere for the walls, it has such a great texture. For the floor I used thin cork sheet which gave, again, the perfect texture. Window blinds were coloured and then embossed with clear embossing powder to give a plastic feel, the punches came out and mini transport ones selected to punch the vinyl which were stuck on the walls. I cut the word Mummy out of vinyl on my Black Cat (no other word would do would it <g>) and once the image had been placed on the card with foam tape I stuck on the text. The caption was printed and stuck to the card and to finish off a bit of yellow ribbon and a bow.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

I have not made many Easter cards so today thought I would. Yesterday I found a cute challenge MayzyArt Blog and just could not resist :). Although I didn't have to use a MayzyArt digi I found she had some free ones on her blog, the digi I used is Bunny (talk about everything coming together lol). The theme of the challenge was to use animal prints so I created my background paper in Photoshop by making a brush of rabbit paw prints and dotted them around the page, then embossed them and added a texture. Next, using Illustrator, I brought in my new paper and and the digi which I laid on top of the paper in the circle shape and printed this out ready to be coloured in. I lightened the backing paper and then printed it and attached it to the card. I finally designed the lacy mount and saved it as an svg file which was then imported into SCAL and cut on my Black Cat. To finish off the bunny's tail I stuck on some Flower Soft - just to try and get the fluffy bouncy effect. Once everything was completed and assembled the layers with foam tape to add a bit of dimension to the card and applied some Micro Glaze to the circular area where the digi is - Micro Glaze gives a love sheen and brings the colours to life. Last but not least a yellow bow was added for a bit of pop!!!! I used Warm Grey 1,3 and 5 for the bunny, Lemon and Yellow for the flower and Lush Green and Grass for the leaf and stem.

The sponsor of this challenge is the fabulous StitchyBear Digital Stamps. The winner (who uses a StitchyBear Digital Stamp wins all the digis used by the DT in challenge #154 - a really great prize. For those who do not use a Stitchy product the prize is $3 to spend in the store.

I had such fun with this fabulous image called Birthday Boy1 created by BBKakes and am so pleased with the way the card turned out. For my grandson's birthday card I created a badge for him to wear which was attached to his card with velcro, it worked a treat; and so I decided to do the same here.

Recipe:-

Backing paper for the outside and inside of the card which made myself using a simple gradient fill.

Birthday Boy1 digi created by BBKakes which I fussy cut and adhered to the card with foam tape. I had to cut off some of the digi, the bits where the icing is flying around so these areas were re-created using Stickles. Although you can't see it there is some icing inside the card too <g>

Badge was made with red card and yellow card from an svg file I made and then cut on my Black Cat.

Black vinyl was cut for the text and adhered to the front of the badge and then the layers were stuck together with double sided tape. To adhere the badge to the card I used velcro so the the badge can be removed and worn by the birthday celebrator.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

I had such fun in making the pastel version of this card I decided to make another one in black and gold, it sounded like a it could be a striking card when finished and once done I was pretty pleased with the outcome :) I had a bit of a problem with my gold ink pad, think it is running out but not much I can do about that as a replacement will have to wait until I return to the UK as there are very few ink pads to buy in Saudi!!!!

I was sitting this morning listening to the news and hearing the weather report for the north in the UK - all the snow brrrrrrr. It is not much better here in Saudi, we don't have snow but yesterday we had rain and today is so overcast. What is needed to brighten the day is to create a happy spring card and this is what I came up with. Hope you like it :)

Thursday, March 21, 2013

I seem to be into green cards this week, just done another one but I can't share it with you yet <g>. Last week all my cards seemed to be blue and yellow lol wonder what it will be next week?

This card is has been made using a couple of things I have had for a while, the white and gold handmade paper which is one of my most treasured sheets, I got it three years ago in Thailand in all the colours they made, black, navy, red, white and maroon and so far have used up one piece of the black and gold and nothing else. Time to enjoy using the paper instead of admiring when I open the drawer where it is hidden :) The other long time item is precious digi by Kaz Krafts of StitchyBear Stamps called 'Birthday Gal Accessories' (not sure if Kaz Krafts is still selling stamps through the StitchyBear store but the stamp is still available in the September Mega Collaboration.

Being a shoe person myself I have loved colouring in this digi and after a bit of Internet hunting came up with a brilliant quote by Bette Midler "Give a girl the correct footware and she can conquer the world" - oh I so agree with that and it is the perfect excuse to buy another pair of shoes I think!!!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Ahhhhhh, wonderful, brilliant, happy smiley afternoon. Twas a busy morning at work and I am now a 'Joyful Bunny' as my weekend has started. To celebrate I treated myself to another afternoon in my craft room making this pretty spring card.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

There is something so special about dreams, I guess it is the way we can do or be anything we want. How much fun is that <g>? Mind you, I don't like the horror dreams and as I tend to have an overactive imagination the viewing of scary movies before bedtime is a no no!!!

Prize for the winner who uses a digital stamp from the Stitchy Bear online shop wins $9 to spend in the store.

For this challenge I have used the digital stamp Adventure Kid - King by Luke Carr Creations, available from the Stitchy Bear store. Not an easy challenge by a long shot although it sounds as if it is. My feelings is the digi I chose to work with is really for kids and I don't know many kids, boys especially who would like a white card much. Thankfully the challenge allowed an alternative, no design papers, and so that is the option I chose to follow. I tried to keep as much white in the card as possible but hopefully made it appealing to kids by using the orange for the base.

Here is my contribution, hope you like it.

Recipe:-

Orange and white cardstock from Craft Creations for the card and white cut-out mount

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Something a little different from the usual cards and I am so pleased with the way it turned out. While checking out some of the card challenges on the go at the moment I came across one I really fancied having a go at - Passion for Promarkers this week has a challenge called 'Around the World'. Oh yes, a fun one saying as I live in Saudi Arabia at the moment. I could not find a didi to work with, but there again that was no surprise, I don't think many people make cards in Saudi <g>, so I had to design my own to work with and what better than the totally seductive look of big brown eyes peeping through her fully covered body!!!!

Recipe:

Lady in abaya image drawn by me and printed twice and coloured with ProMarkers. Two layers so I could layer the face behind the abaya/veil. Both layers mounted with foam tape to give dimension. Spray gun system used for abaya and regular method used for face area.

Arabic images in background from IClipart.

Die cut designed by me and cut on my Black Cat

Text cut on Black Cat too on vinyl and adhered to card

Background, once cut was popped through my Cuttlebug using an embossing folder from Design Objectives. I then used metallic ProMarkers and the air brush system to add a little more colour.

To finish off I added gold line sticker and a gold embellishment from my stash.

I am trying desperately to think of something to say but it is only 5:00 a.m. and I have just woken up, I guess the brain is still in la la land <g>. Ah thought of something :), do you have problems tying bows, I know I do. The other week I found this fabulous addition for any craft room, it is called the Bow Easy and available for several supplies. Here is a video on how to use it. If you are like me and find tying bows full of trials and tribulations then this wee gadget is a must for you <g>. I do find it somewhat fiddly to use but with the addition of a ribbon threader all wonders become possible.

Recipe:-

Card cut out using my Black Cat, the flower design is from IClipart which I converted to an svg, and formed the basis for the shape along with the cut out.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Oh what fun - time to play in the craft room. This morning I was looking at a a wall hanging I have hanging up of Van Gough's 'Wheat Field with Crows'. That became the inspiration for the colour scheme for my card, so spring like with blue skies and wheat in the field. Next to browse through my digi's and wow - perfect, I found a hat with a great big sunflower on it, how flukie is that :)

Recipe:-

Digi from Digi Darla called Sunflower Hat which I fussy cut and attached to the card with foam tape.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Did you find a fairy in your teacup this morning??? I must admit I didn't but maybe that is because I only drink out of large mugs filled to the brim with coffee :)

I haven't made a tent card before so thought I would give one a go. Must admit I am in two minds as to if I like the shape or not. it lends itself beautifully to standing up and showing off the front decoration but I don't like having to write a personal message on the back of the card. Think I will have to dwell on this for a while.

Lace I bought downtown (in Khobar, Saudi Arabia) last week with this card in mind

Thin ribbon which I have had for a while which I wove through the lacy circle topper, used along the bottom of the card and also for the bow. The bow has a couple of pearl beads on the ends just to give some weight as the ribbon is really light and flimsy

Saying, just something I made up - corny I agree hahahahahaha

On the back of the card I used the same paper background paper and four pearls, one in each corner, just to make the writing area a little more appealing. Should have taken a photo but I forgot. Sorry.

Prize for the winner who uses a digital stamp from the Stitchy Bear online shop wins All the DT images used in challenge #152 - Wow

For this challenge I have used the digital stamp Quiet Contemplation by Delicious Doodles, available from the StitchyBear store to make a tea light candle wrapper.

Recipe:-

The main part of the tea candle wrapper is on a transparency and the top and bottom supports are cut on my Black Cat

To stop the colours shining through from the back of the wrapper and discolouring the image I lined the inside with white paper leaving the image area uncovered.

To attach everything together I used double sided tape.

The wrapper is placed over my empty coffee jar for safety reasons - would hate to set fire to the house with this project which would be just my luck <g>

To finish off, Stickles were used on the head dress sections, just to add a bit of sparkle.

One last thing, StitchyBear are having the most awesome sale of their stamps and digi papers to celebrate their 3rd Birthday. With a massive 33% of items it is an offer too good to miss and StitchyBear digis are just the best, I promise you will have a hard time choosing from their massive collection by the artists who create the stamps, we, in the design team are so privileged to showcase.

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Prize for the winner who uses a digital stamp from the Stitchy Bear online shop wins $9 to spend in the store. You must use a store image to win the main prizes and all other entries will be in a draw to win $3 to spend in the store

Ummmm - recycle or green scheme. I did have an idea for recycle by using items to make the card that had a previous use, you know the sort of thing, stolen buttons from hubby's shirt etc. While having a look through this weeks allocated digital stamp designer's work - Beary Dust Stamps; I came across this beauty. Out the window with my initial plan and change direction totally to going with a green colour scheme.

So why the change in direction? My youngest daughter joined the British Army last year and completed her basic training. She is now coming to the end of her corp training and then will be a fully fledged soldier girl and will be sent on her first tour of duty.

The rest of the design process was carried out using a drawing program. Here I created the the mounts, tree, tank, text and the overall layout of the card.

Next was to create the cutting files for SCAL. Finally on the preparation side, I embossed the tank using an embossing folder.

With all elements created and cut it was time to assemble. I assembled the two mounts, tank, digital stamp cut out and the tree all with foam tape to create several layers. The text was cut out of vinyl which was stuck in place.

Finally I added a yellow ribbon to the tree so my wee girl comes home safely, a guardian angle metal charm to keep her safe and some gems to give the poor bare tree some leaves.

That just about sums it up - hope you like the end product :). Now over to you, how about popping over the the OSAAT challenge and joining in . . . . . . .

When I make cards, especially if they are for a special purpose I first pick the image I want to use then think how this should be placed on the card. After that comes the colour scheme and finally how to embellish. My favourite style is CAS (clean and simple), and as I tend to like my cards to be balanced I often have to fight the urge to be symmetrical. I just love this image from the Stitchy Bear shop, she is called Lady Klimt by Hope Jacare Doodles.

Working on a card today that tries to move well away from symmetry, and with my image chosen, the next step is to come up with a sketch to work from. My chosen colour theme has been based on colours we often saw while on holiday down-under - red land and blue skies - heavenly.

The three layers for this card are made up as follows:-

Create the card template to cut, I rather fancied a lacy top, challenging to get it all lined up but I was very pleased with the result.

Layer two ended up being the same lacy pattern used for the top of the card but cut out of vellum. I had thought about using a stronger colour paper but felt it would distract from the image. What do you think?

The final layer was the image which was attached to the card using foam tape to give a bit of dimension.